Sheriff issues special commendations

YORK — York-Poquoson Sheriff J.D. "Danny" Diggs has honored two deputies for rendering life-saving first aid to two citizens suffering from life-threatening conditions.

Diggs recently issued Special Commendation awards to Deputy John Henry and Deputy Debra Graves for their recent efforts.

Henry, an eight-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, was honored for assisting during an incident Sept. 1 where a man accidentally shot himself in the leg while trying to conceal a gun during a traffic stop.

The man, who was a passenger in the car, allegedly shot himself while exiting the vehicle after the driver was taken into custody on a charge of driving under the influence. Investigators later charged the man with two misdemeanor firearms offenses.

Henry immediately sprung into action and began packing the man's wound to stop the bleeding. Henry, who is on the SWAT team, has received advanced training in combat medicine and carries advanced gear including tourniquets and quick clot gauze.

The incident was the first time Henry had ever assisted anyone suffering from a gunshot wound.

"It was reassuring to me in my skill set," he said in an interview. "It's good to be recognized in the fact that maybe it will raise awareness for the need for advanced training outside of the normal first aid training."

Graves was recognized for effectively administering CPR to a woman in cardiac arrest after she was the first to arrive at a home on Oct. 19. She has six years of law enforcement experience but only joined the Sheriff's Office five months ago.

Graves worked to stabilize the patient until medics arrived. It was the first time she administered CPR in the line of duty.

In both incidents the deputies successfully stabilized the patients, who survived the incidents.

"It feels great to give someone more time with their family," Graves said of saving a life.

Diggs said Henry and Graves "went above and beyond what is required of them" and that it's great to see all the training the deputies go through pay off.

"It's really gratifying to see the results of that training because it's not every day we get to use those skills," he said. "When put into practice, it really shows how important that training is."